In the lead up to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, Tokyo Skytree's lighting designs have been upgraded with additional lighting equipment allowing the 634-meter landmark to be lit up entirely and become even more dynamic.
According to its operator Tobu Tower Skytree Co., the tower in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, is lit daily with one of three alternating patterns taking the spotlight each day. The "iki" pattern is represented in blue with the motif of the water of Sumida River; "miyabi" features the Edo purple, a symbolic color for Edo, present-day Tokyo; and the "nobori" pattern is designed based on a festival flag. Despite their colorful designs, no lights were initially installed at about 150 meters high and 250 meters high, making the tower's dark areas conspicuous.
The company then carried out construction to install additional light-emitting diode (LED) lights from May last year to this February. The entire tower now shines brighter with 347 newly installed lighting units, bringing the total number of units to 2,362.
In addition, the lighting patterns have been embellished with vivid features. In iki, white light bounces in pale light or falls like a waterfall. Miyabi projects an image in which a robe of feathers flies with lights in the Edo purple going up in spirals, while nobori depicts a scene in which a streamer lit up in orange flutters in the breeze.
Tokyo Skytree is being closed temporarily through March 15, due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, the tower remains lit up as usual. A special illumination is scheduled for Tuesday to honor the memory of the victims of the Great Tokyo Air Raids, and another on Wednesday in support of the reconstruction of areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
"As we're in a tough situation now, we hope people can feel a little relieved by enjoying the illumination of the Skytree," an official of the company's public relations division said.
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